COLUMBUS, Ohio (Feb. 25, 2018) – Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, Mich., won four consecutive stepladder finals matches, including the title match against defending champion Jason Belmonte of Australia, to win the Barbasol PBA Players Championship at Wayne Webb's Columbus Bowl Sunday for his second major and third career PBA Tour title.View Full ArticleO'Grady Climbs Ladder to Win PBA Tournament of Champions

FAIRLAWN, Ohio (Feb. 11, 2018) – Advancing from a pre-tournament qualifier earlier in the week all the way to the title match, four-time Professional Bowlers Association regional tournament winner Matt O'Grady of Rahway, N.J., won the 53rd PBA Tournament of Champions Sunday for his first PBA Tour title.View Full ArticleBinghamton's Galli Named East Region Rookie of the Year

JAN. 16, 2018 -- Ryan Galli of Binghamton was named PBA East Region Rookie of the Year for 2017 based on his two fifth-place finishes and his four match play appearances.View Full Article

With a strike on her first ball in the 10th frame – which prompted a jubilant cry of "Yes!" – Szczerbinski became the first woman to win the scratch singles tournament and pocketed the $2,000 first prize and free entry to the 2019 USBC Masters.

The 28-year-old left-hander took a seven-pin lead into the second game of the two-game title match, but Angelo, a two-time PBA titlist, rallied with four strikes to start game two and after six frames the bowlers were tied.

Szczerbinski doubled in the seventh and eighth frames to regain the edge, however, and held on as Angelo, a 48-year-old right-hander, was unable to strike in the last three frames.

The final match scores were 218-226 for Szczerbinski and 211-211 for Angelo, who earned $1,000.

Szczerbinski reached the final round with a 408-394 win over Stephano Cirrito of Niagara Falls, while Angelo advanced with a 488-406 victory over fellow PBA star Ryan Ciminelli of Clarence. Cirrito and Ciminelli won $500 each.

Ciminelli was the high qualifier off the first squad with a sparkling 1,234 for five games (246 average) while Alex Cavagnaro of Long Island was the high qualifier off the second squad with 1,114 (222 average).

The tournament drew 110 entrants – 39 on the 9 a.m. squad and 71 on the 12:30 p.m. squad -- who bowled five games in the qualifying before the top 23 advanced to the two-game match play finals. The top nine received a one-round bye.

The event was contested on a special 40-foot "Sport" condition.

Szczerbinski opened match play with a 444-329 win over Jacob Rivers of Albany, but then survived three straight close matches – 380-378 over four-time NYS Queens champion Shannon Sellens of Long Island, 452-447 over Brett Cunningham of Clay – who had just rolled 275-278-299-246 in his previous four games – and the match against Cirrito.

"Being able to stay very present in the moment was one of the keys for me today (as) a lot of matches came down to some big shots," she said. "Also, a big key for me was having balls in my hand that had a lot of surface on them. I was literally changing balls in 10th frames because I needed to and it actually worked out."

Ironically, she said that things she learned while attending Angelo's Bowl U instructional program played a role in her Masters' victory.

"It takes a lot of practice ... on conditions like this. When bowling in tournaments like this, even if you don't bowl well, you're still getting experience," she said.

"And things like Bowl U with Brad Angelo. That's a big thing that has helped me see things differently. Going to surface today – that's a big ball motion thing, which is something I have learned from Brad and my husband, John (who also is on the PBA Tour). Those are key components to being successful."

Szczerbinski competed on the PWBA last year, but said her work schedule – she is the assistant comptroller at U&S Services, a building automation company in Tonawanda – may limit participation this year.

Angelo gave Szczerbinski a lot of credit – "she bowled great when she had to, coming through every single time," he said – and was pleased that he was able to continue a hot streak in New York State tournament action.

"I've kind of been riding this wave for the last year-and-a-half," Angelo said, noting that he has won tournaments in Waverly, Syracuse, Newark, Rochester and Fulton as well as capturing an Eagle for taking the All-Events crown at the 2017 USBC Championships.

He said he got a "fortunate break" in the Round of 8 to reach the semifinals, rallying from a 62-pin deficit to edge 2014 NYS Masters champion Cavagnaro, 432-427.

"Alex bowled a great match ... he's one of the stars in the Northeast," said Angelo, who posted a 247 in the second game -- tripping a 4-pin for a match-clinching strike in the 10th frame.

Angelo, who owns Brad Angelo Lanes on Transit Road in Lockport, said it was great to come back and bowl at Allie Brandt Lanes, where "I rolled my first 200 game on lanes 5-6 and my first 600 series on 3-4. This is where I learned to cut my teeth.

The NYS USBC would like to thank the management and staff of Allie Brandt Lanes for hosting the tournament and Irene Miller, a Lockport USBC director, for her assistance during the event.

The 2019 NYS Masters is tentatively scheduled for March 2 at Dixie Lanes in Elmira.

NYS Youth Team Tourney Parents, FansNeed to Call Holiday Inn Directly

MARCH 1, 2018 -- Due to the USBC Open Championships being held in Syracuse this year, some confusion has arisen over room availability at the Holiday Inn Syracuse/Liverpool at 441 Electronics Parkway for NYS Youth Team Championships bowlers, parents and fans for the weekend of May 4-6.

As a result, those wishing to book rooms for the youth tournament must call the hotel directly at 1-315-457-1122 to make their reservations and make sure to mention NYS Youth Bowling when doing so.

Champions from the various divisions in the state's 10 regions will be competing for state titles that weekend -- which also is the weekend for the NYS Adult-Junior Tournament -- at AMF Strike 'N Spare Lanes in Syracuse.

BowlerX.com Partners with Professional Tours

FEBRUARY 16, 2018 – A longtime sponsor of the New York State USBC has become a major partner with the Professional Bowlers Association and Professional Women's Bowling Association.

BowlerX.com, an online bowling superstore based in Bethlehem, Pa., has signed on to the title sponsor of next week's PBA Mark Roth/Marshall Holman Doubles Championship in Columbus, Ohio, and the PWBA PWBA Twin Cities Open on Aug. 9-11 in Eagan, Minn.

"All of us at BowlerX are super excited to partner with the pro tours and to add the BowlerX.com name to tour events," said Lee Sandt, who opened BowlerX Pro Shop in 2006 and launched its online store in 2010. "To be able to give back to the sport we love and support these athletes is extremely rewarding for myself and our staff."

BowlerX, located at Town and Country Lanes, has had an ad on the NYS USBC website for several years. It offers bowling balls, bags, shoes and accessories along with professional fitting and drilling services, and lessons through its staff of USBC certified coaches.

As part of its sponsorship deal with the PWBA, BowlerX will receive a 30-second TV spot and signage on the BowlerX PWBA Twin Cities Open broadcast, plus a presence on all PWBA live stream broadcasts. The BowlerX.com logo will be displayed at all standard PWBA Tour events.

USBC Honors State Director Betty Kingsley

FEBRUARY 12, 2018 – New York State USBC Director Betty Kingsley of Rochester, who has served in bowling leadership capacities at the national, state and local levels for more than 35 years, is the 2018 recipient of the Helen Baker Award for Outstanding Association Service from the United States Bowling Congress.

The former president of the Rochester women's association under both the Women's International Bowling Congress and USBC, Kingsley has served on the state association board since its merger in 2011 – acting as the chair of the Legislative, Operations and Nominating committees and as recording secretary.

She became involved in bowling when she began her career at Eastman Kodak Company, where she worked as a Quality Control Engineer for almost 30 years, because "someone asked me to." Her volunteer service in the sport started on the local level and she eventually became involved on the state and national levels, too.

She has served as president and secretary-treasurer of the Rochester Bowling Council, was a youth association director and chaired the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL) tournament. Currently, she is a director on the New York State USBC board.

Kingsley was active in the Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC), serving as a director from 1996-2005. She also served as the WIBC Area Recruitment Coordinator and was a regional coordinator for the WIBC Membership Development Program. She was on the WIBC Hall of Fame board from 1997-2005.

"It is great to be recognized among your bowling friends for providing programs and services for all bowlers to enjoy," Kingsley said.

Kingsley will be honored along with Lowell Lovgren of Kelso, Washington, who will receive the Joyce Deitch Unity Award; the father-daughter team of Butch Cardoza and Natalie Cardoza Clark of Cottage Grove, Oregon, who were named USBC Proprietors of the Year.

The National Recognition Awards will be presented during the 2018 USBC Convention and Annual Meeting, April 23-26, at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada.

The tournament consists of competition in two divisions – Open and Classified (194-and-under). The format includes qualifying, head-to-head semifinals and stepladder finals. It will be contested on a 40-foot oil pattern, about a 4:1 ratio.

JANUARY 25, 2018 – The two teams that finish in first place at the 2018 NYS Open Championships in Kingston will win a top prize that includes an additional $500 from the tournament expense fund.

The NYS USBC tournament committee on Wednesday approved the allocation as a "thank you" to the state association's men and women members that will be competing in the 94th annual event, which is scheduled for April 21-22, 27-29, May 4-6, 18-20 at Patel's Kingston Lanes.

Entry forms and hotel information for this and other 2018 NYS adult tournaments – Masters, Queens, NYS Women's Championships and NYS Women's Senior Singles Championships -- can be downloaded from the Tournament section of this website.

"With our decision to go to a two-division format this year, based on feedback from our bowlers, we wish to give back to our tournament bowlers by taking a portion of the moneys generated by entry fees and adding $500 for the winning teams in both divisions," said NYS USBC President Roger Buckman. "Our desire is to continue to make this tournament an attractive event for our members."

Buckman also said that the NYS USBC will continue to allocate prize money to the top five scratch scores in the Team, Doubles, Singles and All-Events categories.

Handicap in Division 1 will be 90 percent of 220 and in Division 2 will be 90 percent of 200. All handicaps will be computed on a Team Average basis – meaning that handicaps will be determined based on the cumulative averages of team members.

Team captains wishing to reserve their spots are encouraged to do so as soon as possible by contacting Mike Pettinella, NYS USBC association manager, at 585-343-3736 or bowlny300@yahoo.com.

Entry fees must be paid in full at least a week prior to the bowling date(s).

NYS USBC Hall of FameDemperio, Waite, Ward,Cornicelli to be Inducted

DECEMBER 19, 2017 – The New York State USBC's Awards Committee has announced its selections for induction into the New York State USBC Hall of Fame for 2018.

In the Superior Performance category, David Demperio (Syracuse USBC) and Helen Waite (Adirondack USBC) will be enshrined, and in the Meritorious Service category, Frank Cornicelli (Schenectady USBC) and Corinthia Ward (New York City USBC) will be inducted.

Doug Bohannon, proprietor of Kingpin's Alley Family Fun Center in South Glens Falls, will receive the Proprietor/Manager Recognition Award and Nelson Chase (Adirondack USBC) will receive the Service to Youth Award.

The Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner is scheduled for the evening of June 2 at the Desmond Hotel & Conference Center in Albany, following the NYS USBC Annual Meeting that day.

Demperio, a Syracuse resident and association member for 40 years, has bowled in NYS Championship tournaments since 1977 and has a NYS Open Senior Doubles title (2011 with Charles Trudell) and numerous top 10 finishes on his resume.

His 738 series in the NYS Open Championships in 2016 led his team to an eighth-place finish. He placed third in the NYS Open Senior in Doubles, Singles and Six-Game Combine in 2017 and also was a finalist in the first NYS Senior Masters in November 2017.

A Syracuse USBC BA Hall of Famer, Demperio has seven 800 series and 10 perfect games, and a high average of 227.

His regional tournament titles include the Syracuse Herald Masters in 1988 and 1989, the Van Wie Doubles in 1989, the Lilac City Team event and Bud Light Shootout. In 1987-88, he captured the Syracuse BA tournament All-Events title.

Waite, a Glens Falls resident, has numerous NYS tournament victories to her credit, including four Team titles (2011, 2014, 2015, 2016), a Singles title (2010), two Doubles titles (2008, 2010) and two All-Events titles (2009, 2010).

A Glens Falls WBA Hall of Famer, Waite has nine 800 series, with a high of 832 in 2015, and 24 300 games, spanning from 2000-2017. She has been a consistent 220-plus average bowler, with a high of 232 in 2005-06.

Waite is a former Empire State Games medalist, and she placed second in the Team event at the USBC Women's Championships in El Paso, Texas, in 2010.

Other achievements include a 779 series and 290 game at the NYS Women's Championships, two top-five finishers at the NYS Queens, a WASA Singles title (2007), national record-holder for a two men/women team game of 875 in 2011, and multiple league team, high average, high series and high game awards.

Cornicelli, affectionately known as the "Mayor" in the Schenectady area for his personable demeanor, has served the sport of bowling without wavering for nearly 40 years. And he continues to do so, at the age of 95.

A NYS director for 20 years, he is two-time past president of the Schenectady BA and now is an honorary director. He was voted into the Schenectady BA Hall of Fame in 1995.

While serving on every committee, Cornicelli made his mark as the association's sole lane inspector, beginning in 1983. He often would have to go to several centers in one evening to check the lanes following an honor score.

Later on, he chaired the association's certification crew, continuing those duties – including lying down in the pit to take lane measurements -- until he was 89!

He also assisted the neighboring Albany association with lane inspection and Sport league certification, and helped in the office – processing sanction applications, award requests.

As chair of the Schenectady banquet committee, he was able to attract nationally-known speakers such as Parker Bohn III, Johnny Petraglia, Mark Roth, Kelly Kulick, Bob Learn, Liz Kuhlkin and Ryan Ciminelli.

Ward, a longtime Bronx resident, has been instrumental as a director, officer and delegate at the local and state levels for 35 years, and for her tireless efforts was elected to the Northeast Council Hall of Fame (2009) and New York City USBC Hall of Fame (2010).

A director on the New York State BA, Empire State USBC BA and New York State USBC for the past 10 years, Ward has service as the association manager for New York City USBC and Triboro USBC Youth organizations, and has been a league secretary, treasurer, youth supervisor and coach since 1983.

An avid bowler (high game, 279; high series, 704), she was the first woman elected to the New York Bowling Association board (1995), and was the first woman line officer of the NYBA (2001). She has attended numerous state meetings and national conventions, and her work on various committees has gone a long way to advance the sport of bowling.

Currently, she serves as NYS USBC chaplain, and is on the Awards, Legislative/Rules and Pathways committees in her role as state association director. She also organizes large groups of bowlers who participate in the NYS Women's Senior Singles, NYS Women's Championships and USBC Women's Championships.

Bohannon purchased the former Spare Time center in South Glens Falls in 2013 and has made it a priority to enhance the bowling experience through promotions, tournaments and fundraisers for local charities.

He supports USBC membership, even offering a $10,000 prize for a bowler who rolls a 900 series during a USBC-certified league or event. An Adirondack USBC director, he runs several tournaments throughout the season, including a local monthly 9-pin handicap team event. His "Chase 4000" tournament on the house pattern offers a $4,000 prize for the first team to post a 4,000 scratch score.

Bohannon supports the Adirondack Thunder hockey team through advertisement and "meet-and-greets," sponsors Cancer Free Kids, conducts a Big Brother/Big Sisters event, runs a Special Olympics program every Saturday, and holds coaching clinics for bowlers of all ages.

Chase, a Hudson Falls resident, has been a key member of the NYS USBC team in his role asf the Youth Pepsi Championships coordinator -- a job he took on in 2004 -- and has proven to be an effective teacher of the sport as a youth bowling coach for the Adirondack USBC for 20-plus years.

A former Adirondack USBC president, he has been instrumental in establishing and developing the association's youth programs, and mentoring its scholarship program. Hundreds of young bowlers from throughout the state have benefitted as a result of Chase's dedication, organizational skills and leadership.

More than 380 entries have been received for the 2018 NYS Women's Championships next spring, and there are plenty of openings for teams wishing to participate in the five-weekend tournament at Fishkill Bowl (Hudson Valley USBC).

Team captains are encourage to contact the NYS USBC office for available dates and times. The final entry closing date is March 25.

Note: Several squads are full, including the Sunday, April 22 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. squads.

Last year's tournament drew over 400 teams.

CLICK HERE for a list of paid entries, with confirmed times - through 3/18/18

NYS USBC Now AcceptingCredit/Debit Card Payments

DECEMBER 1, 2017 -- As announced at the 2017 New York State USBC Annual Meeting, the NYS USBC is now able to accept credit card payments for tournament entry fees.

Team captains and individuals bowling in singles and doubles tournaments can pay for their entry using their debit or credit cards.

This option -- which comes with a small service charge -- will be available through the state association office in Batavia or on site (where walk-ins are permitted).

For more details or if you have any questions, call the NYS USBC office at 585-343-3736.

2018 Annual Meetingto take place June 2at Desmond Hotel Albany

NOVEMBER 6, 2017 – The New York State USBC is heading back to the Capital Region for its 7th Annual Meeting.

NYS USBC President Roger Buckman announced today that negotiations with the Desmond Hotel & Conference Center in Albany have been finalized, and that the yearly gathering of state and local association leaders will take place on Saturday, June 2, 2018.

The Annual Meeting will begin at 1 p.m., and will be preceded by a Memorial Service at 12:30 p.m.

The Desmond Hotel also will host the NYS USBC board of directors meeting on Friday, June 1, and the Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner on the evening of Saturday, June 2.

It is located at 660 Albany Shaker Rd., Albany, NY, 12211 and the phone number is 1-800-448-3500. Room rate for NYS USBC delegates and guests is $139 plus taxes. The Hall of Fame dinner information will be announced in the near future.

All registered delegates will have voice and voting privileges at the Annual Meeting.

Positions up for election in 2018 are as follows:

-- Vice President (see resume form for specific qualifications).-- Three Adult Directors.-- Two Youth Directors.

Delegates at the Annual Meeting also will elect the NYS delegate and alternate to the 2018 USBC Annual Meeting.

NYS USBC Seeks Candidatesto Serve on Its Board of Directors

OCTOBER 3, 2017 -- Are you a United States Bowling Congress member who lives in New York or bowls in a USBC-certified league in New York State and is concerned about the future of our sport?

If so, you may be just the right person to take a place on the New York State USBC Board of Directors.

The NYS USBC's vision is to be the leading authority for tournament bowling in New York State, striving to provide fair tournaments and worthwhile programs to enhance and promote the sport.

If you are a critical thinker and a team player -- and have ideas that can move bowling forward by helping to recruit and retain members, and by working on behalf of our youth, then please fill out the resume form found on the About Us page and submit it per the instructions on the form.

Support Youth Bowling with a Sponsor Ad

You can support youth bowling in New York State by purchasing an ad for the NYS Youth Team and NYS Youth Pepsi program books.

For more information, contact Tom Solimine at solimine2000@aol.com.

CLICK HERE for the Youth Team ad sponsor form -- front.CLICK HERE for the Youth Team ad sponsor form -- back.